Business Question

  • Open the file
  • Go to the worksheet labeled Retail Performance Data.
  • Select one store location (e.g., New York, San Diego, Houston, Chicago) for your analysis.
  • Filter the dataset to include only data for your chosen location.
  • Once filtered, copy and paste the filtered data to a new worksheet labeled with your store location (e.g., New York Analysis).

2. Calculate Descriptive Statistics

For your selected location, calculate the following statistics using Excel functions:

  • Mean (=AVERAGE())
  • Median (=MEDIAN())
  • Mode (=MODE.SNGL())
  • Range (Maximum minus Minimum; use =MAX() and =MIN())
  • Standard Deviation (=STDEV.S())

Apply these calculations to the following five variables:

  • Store Size (sq ft)
  • Employee Count
  • Customer Footfall (average daily visitors)
  • Annual Sales ($K)
  • Customer Satisfaction Scores (rating scale)

These statistics will help you assess store capacity, staffing levels, customer engagement, and sales performance, critical inputs for developing business insights.

3. Create Five Visualizations

Using your filtered data, create the following charts:

Three (3) Distribution Charts. Use a histogram, column chart, or bar chart to display the distribution of:

  • Sales
  • Customer Footfall
  • Store Size

Two (2) Scatter Plots. A scatter plot requires both an X and Y variable. Create the following:

  • Scatter Plot 1: Sales (Y-axis) vs. Customer Footfall (X-axis)
    • (to explore the relationship between store traffic and sales)
  • Scatter Plot 2: Customer Satisfaction Score (Y-axis) vs. Sales (X-axis)
    • (to explore the relationship between satisfaction and sales performance)

Chart Formatting Requirements

  • Include a clear, descriptive title for each figure
  • Label both the x-axis and y-axis
  • Add a figure caption (e.g., Figure 1. Sales Distribution for New York Stores)
  • Place all visuals within the body of your report, not in an appendix
  • Include five labeled data visualizations (charts or tables) placed within the body of the report
  • Each figure must include a descriptive title, labeled axes, and be clearly referenced in the text (e.g., Figure 1. Sales Distribution for New York StorLes)

4. Prepare Your Summary Report

Submit a concise, professional report (12 pages) in Microsoft Word summarizing your key insights and recommendations. Assume your audience is a regional operations manager responsible for improving store performance, your analysis should be clear, focused, and written in a business style that supports data-informed decision-making.

Your report must include:

  • Analysis of Key Metrics: Clearly explain what each statistic reveals about store performance or operations.
  • Interpretation of Visuals: Provide a brief interpretation of each chart or graph. Highlight notable trends, clusters, or anomalies that could impact business decisions.
  • Actionable Recommendations: Based on your analysis, propose at least one data-driven business recommendation.

Focus on clarity, precision, and relevance. Your goal is to communicate analytical insights in a way that supports informed business decision-making, just as analysts do in real-world professional settings.

Criteria for Success

Submissions should demonstrate original analysis, sound interpretation, and the ability to communicate actionable insights in a business context.

Submit Two Files:

  • A Word document containing your summary report with embedded, labeled charts
  • An Excel file showing your calculations and visualizations

WRITE MY PAPER

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